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Mini (45 KP) rated Jonathan (2018) in Movies

Jun 17, 2019 (Updated Jun 17, 2019)  
Jonathan (2018)
Jonathan (2018)
2018 | Drama, Sci-Fi
Contains spoilers, click to show
Hey friends, this is a review of "Jonathan" also entitled "Duplicate" in other countries. It is a movie about D.I.D though it is referred to as 'multi-consciousness' in the movie. The movie is about the lives of two alters, Jonathan and John, brothers who share the same body. It follows their struggle to live the lives they want whilst sharing a body. As someone who has a friend with DID I thought I'd check out this film that I found on Netflix. While there are some very relatable moments in the film, it has a bittersweet ending that doesn't represent the reality of DID at all! For example, in the film, Jonathan discusses the 'removal'/death of alters. This can't happen with DID. Sure, alters can go 'dormant' which means they just don't front, but alters cannot 'die'.
For those with DID the triggers in this film are as follows: medical/hospital scenes, manipulation by a bad doctor/psychiatrist, brief mentions of sexual situations. There are also a few scenes involving self-harm, suicide attempts and urges, graphic self-removal of a brain implant/chip, gaps in memory, rapid switching, and the threat of suicide from an alter.
This film has a few good indications of DID but is sensationalised and gives the wrong impression. But hey, at least they aren't depicted as serial killers!!!
  
Like many others, I'm sure, I first only heard of Valerian as a result of the absolutely-bonkers 2017 movie 'Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets'.

Reading the interviews with the stars that came out at around about that time, I learnt that Valerian was actually a French comic, and that it had influenced elements of the really-rather-fun Bruce Willis flick 'The Fifth Element'. I caught Valerian when it showed up on Netflix and, while it was OK, it wasn't really anything special.

When I saw this comic given away as a freebie on Comixology, I thought I would give it a try: I don't know what I was expecting (something closer to the movie?), but this most definitely wasn't it!

This is set largely in the (then) future of the mid-80s, where the world is in ruins and New York is about to be swallowed by the ocean. Valerian and Laureline are both time-travelers, who must travel back to this period of their history: a period in which little is known about, a sort-of second Dark Ages.

This comic does show it's age, particularly in it's treatment of Laureline (who doesn't seem to really do all that much) and in Sun Rae: truth be told, it just never really gripped me at all.
  
Black Mirror - Season 5
Black Mirror - Season 5
2019 | Drama, Sci-Fi
Black Mirror has been going downhill since Netflix acquired it from Channel 4.

The first season was fantastic, and the second season wasn’t too bad. It’s like the Black Mirror writers are in a competition to make each season worst than the last.

It used to be speculative fiction, but even that is no more in season 5. I wish there were more than just 3 measly episodes especially with how long it took them to release season 5.

Striking Vipers was the worst episode in my opinion. To me, it focused too much on sex instead of the actual story which had the potential to be good.

Smithereens was the best episode in season 5 although it was just alright. At least there was a heartfelt story behind it all. Plus, the acting was fantastic for the most part. Yes, there were a few shoddy acting bits, but most of it was good.

Rachel, Jack and Ashley Too started off being a good episode, but it just turned ridiculous towards the end. It did start with a good message, but the ridiculousness of it turned this episode into more of a comedy. I guess they were just too focused on Miley Cyrus bringing in the viewers instead of the actual story.

I’m really losing hope for Black Mirror. They need to just stop making episodes or hire better writers.
  
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Eleanor (1463 KP) Jun 21, 2019

Kinda stopped watching last season n not feeling like bothering to catch up. Such a shame, strong concept n great first few series....

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Heather Cranmer (2721 KP) Jun 21, 2019

I agree. I keep watching in hopes it will get better, but it just gets worse. =(

Pieces Of Her
Pieces Of Her
Karin Slaughter | 2018 | Fiction & Poetry, Mystery, Thriller
8
6.6 (11 Ratings)
Book Rating
Andi Oliver and her mother, Laura have been living an idyllic life in Belle Isla, Georgia when everything gets turned upside down. A gunman disrupts their lunch and Laura's actions during that ordeal send their whole world in a tailspin. Laura immediately kicks Andi out of her home and Andi is confused by her mom's decision. Following instructions given by her mother, Andi finds a person she never knew existed.

I really enjoyed this book. It was pretty long though, so it took me a while to get through it. There are twists and turns around every corner and you never know what is going to happen next. Just when you think you know what is going on, there is another surprise around the corner.

Every time I thought I knew what was going to happen next, I was surprised. This is an unbelievable story that is going to be on Netflix next year. I can't wait to see it. Click here to learn more about it.

Karin Slaughter really knows how to keep you on the edge of your seat. My heart raced, and I could feel myself riding along with Andi as she tried to find out the truth about her mother. If you have never read a Slaughter book, this is a great one to start off with.
  
In the Shadow of the Moon (2019)
In the Shadow of the Moon (2019)
2019 | Thriller
361. In the Shadow of the Moon. Pretty sweet Netflix movie! I read the description 'life long obsession' and 'serial killer' and I was ready to go! Starts out with young police officer Locke, who really, really wants to be a detective, and happens to get involved with a string of connected murders, and actually has an early confrontation with the killer. Without giving to much away, after their confrontation, lets just say, it will be extremely unlikely that the killer will strike again. Afterwards Locke does indeed get his wish of becoming a homicide detective. About a decade or so later, another string of murders occur, same M.O. as the first... Of course Locke is completely baffled, and yep, he becomes quite obsessed, with this super bizarre turn of events. And when it happens another decade later... something going on here!! The description of the movie left out a huge element of the movie, I of course did not watch the trailer, because trailers suck. They usually give you the whole movie if you pay enough attention. But anyways, yea I really liked it, mostly because it was a surprise. No one is going to win an oscar for acting in this one. But like I said, the less you know, the better, in my opinion. Filmbufftim on FB
  
Rim of the World (2019)
Rim of the World (2019)
2019 | Action, Adventure, Comedy
Given the success of Stranger Things it would seem that the mismatched relationship of a group of adolescent teens would make for great viewing. The format has had plenty of success in the past, think The Goonies and Lost Boys, but here it just seems tiresome and flat.

Teens at a summer camp get caught up in an alien invasion which leaves them with the option – whether to save the world or not – they do of course. And so begins a quest to through California to deliver an important piece of information that holds the key to defeating the alien race. Director McG really doesn’t have a grip on this one, relying on toilet humour and a pointless romantic sub plot to carry the film through to its final conclusion.

Makes me want to have kids just so I can insist they don’t watch this

Where the above mentioned films had a real sense of 80s nostalgia and a group of kids who you genuinely had an interest in, Rim of the World feels like an interlude to the next big retro throwback. Picking four stereotypes which pretty much cover off the socially inept and outcast, is almost annoying. Poor jokes and not very good special effects does little to elevate it to a Netflix success.
  
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gayga (2128 KP) created a post in Smashbomb Council

Mar 19, 2020  
Perhaps we should think a little bit out of the box for this. So, as well as the usual apps, games, books etc, there could be suggestions on particular apps etc for each category

Individuals: Depends on age really. If people have issues such as depression, addiction they could be guided towards national or regional websites. If anyone feels lonely during self isolating there’s regional and national friendship and support groups on Facebook and elsewhere.

I think for all categories you could have Netflix/BBCiPlayer/etc box set recommendations and there’s a lot of shows on YouTube.

Perhaps for teens you could recommend games that wouldn’t normally play. Again, they may be afraid of current events and need support so you could recommend groups/websites for people their age to discuss their feeling.

Young families could have ideas for entertaining small children, supporting parents Recommendations for children/baby reading books. Recipe book recommendations since people who want to cook will have more time to do so or may need to cook using limited ingredients.

Couples and older families could have book recommendations. Could advise on hobby apps or websites.

I just think as well as the normal Facebook/Twitter options we could suggest items and options that people may either not have heard of or considered
  
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Imogen SB (4507 KP) Mar 19, 2020

This is a fantastic idea!

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gayga (2128 KP) Mar 19, 2020

I just think because we are living in extraordinary times we should be able to guide people to more practical help and services so that they are as comfortable physically and mentally as they are stimulated with media such as books, games and films etc to make life easier all round

The Confession Killer
The Confession Killer
2019 | Crime, Documentary
When I began this series, I wasn't really paying attention to it. I looked at the screen at one point and thought to myself, man, that jail looks super familiar, like the jail on Jail Hill in the town I grew up in. I shrugged it off, continued my chores, then saw a shot of the downtown square... I realized it was the town I grew up in, Georgetown, TX. BTW - when you live in a small town in TX, you end up doing some strange stuff, like touring an abandoned jail.

So, after I realized the dude was held in Georgetown, by the Wilco SO (I have very strong, negative feelings about those idiots), I paid attention. Henry Lee Lucas confessed to a crazy amount of crimes, crimes that he couldn't have committed due to timing and location. I still don't agree that he killed Orange Socks (a famous murder in GT). This dude was delusional, and Wilco was completely in the wrong, at one point, they're looking at calendars and offering dates to the other LE agencies calling them. I feel like it's really awful they 'solved' these murders, and ultimately killers are still out there.

I liked the way it was put together, but, like many Netflix shows, required editing to cut out at least the last ep.